Corinthians was founded on 1 September 1910 in São Paulo. On 1 September 2027 it turns 117. It was born of five workers under a street lamp and became one of the most popular clubs in the world.

Five workers under a street lamp

On 31 August 1910 a group of São Paulo railway workers watched Corinthian FC, the famous amateur side from London that was touring Brazil. The next day they decided to form a team of their own. They met in the Bom Retiro district, by tradition under the light of a street lamp.

The founders were Joaquim Ambrósio, Antônio Pereira, Rafael Perrone, Anselmo Correa and Carlos Silva. They wanted a team of the people, not of the rich. They borrowed the name from the Englishmen who had thrilled them.

The cream shirt that faded

According to the official version, the first shirt was cream or beige, with black details. It faded with all the washing, so around 1916 white became standard, cheaper and easier to look after. Historian Celso Unzelte, however, finds the beige shirt story unlikely, so the sources disagree.

In 1920, with better finances, came the black shorts, and the "alvinegro", Corinthians' black and white, was born. Later the black alternative shirt with thin white stripes was added, which according to English Wikipedia first appeared in 1954.

Anchor, oars and Saint George

In the early years the shirt carried only the initials C and P. The first proper crest was designed in 1914, and later the São Paulo state flag was added. In 1939 the painter Francisco Rebolo added an anchor and two oars, for the club's successes in rowing.

In 1926 Corinthians bought the grounds of Parque São Jorge and made Saint George its patron saint. From 1990 stars were placed above the crest for titles, until in 2011 the board stopped adding new ones.

Sócrates and Corinthians Democracy

In the early 1980s the team wrote a unique page in football history. Under Democracia Corinthiana, the players voted on club matters. That way, and with Sócrates, Wladimir and Casagrande, they won the 1982 São Paulo state championship.

The black and white shirt was also worn by Rivellino, the "little king of the Parque", Garrincha, Marcelinho Carioca and Neto. In the 21st century came Ronaldo, Tevez and Mascherano.

From Tokyo to the Maracanã

Corinthians have seven Brazilian league titles, from 1990 to 2017. In 2000 they won the first FIFA Club World Championship on penalties against Vasco. In 2012 they won the Copa Libertadores unbeaten against Boca, then beat Chelsea with a Paolo Guerrero goal for a second world title.

Since 2014 they have played in their own stadium, today's Neo Química Arena, which hosted the opening match of the 2014 World Cup. On 21 December 2025 they beat Vasco 2-1 at the Maracanã, with goals from Yuri Alberto and Memphis Depay, to lift a fourth Copa do Brasil. In 2026 they continue in Série A.

Celebrate with us

From five workers under a street lamp to world titles, Corinthians remains the people's team. Happy birthday, Timão!

A small detail for the faithful: even the stadium took its current name, Neo Química Arena, on the club's birthday, 1 September 2020.

See our Corinthians jerseys at sportarena.gr.

Photo: The pitch of the Arena Corinthians – Leonardo Lourenço/Portal da Copa, Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.